If you are in a location from which you have a reasonably dark sky and a good view to the west, go outside today just after sunset and look up. Saturn and Mars will be very close together somewhat low in the northwest sky, and this should be visible with your naked eyes from almost anywhere. The image you see here (generated with Stellarium) shows their relative positions as they will be around 18:30 tonight, in Melbourne; the view will be similar from other locations at similar local times. From Melbourne, Mars will set at 20:25 and Saturn right after at 20:41.
Also, if you go out a little earlier, Mercury will be making a very good appearance, much closer to the horizon; it will set at 18:41, so you will have to look for it against a sky that will still be a little bright.
The cluster of stars you see behind Mars in the image is the Beehive cluster (NGC 2632), but it will offer a much better view with binoculars than with your naked eyes.
If you can't go out tonight, don't despair: the two outer planets will be even closer at the same time tomorrow, but Mars will have almost finished clearing the Beehive by then. If you want to catch Mars on top of the cluster, this is the day.
Leave a comment